Improvement in ditching-machines



F. L. DELFER.

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No 175 275. Patented March 28,1876.

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Attest:

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UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

FRANK L. DELFER, OF BURLINGTON, IOWA.

|MPROVEMENT IN DlTCHlNG-MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 175,275, dated March28, 1876; application filed February 19, 1876.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FRANK L. DELFER, ofBurlington, in the county of Des Moines and State of Iowa, have inventedan Improvement in Ditching-Machines, of which the following is aspecification:

The object of my invention is, first, to prevent clogging thewater-trough with mud; second, to provide for the ready removal ofsediment and mud from the water-trough while the machine is inoperation; third, to provide a uniform lubrication of the earthascending along the chute; fourth, to reduce friction by covering thechute with a surface-coating of plaster-of-paris, or other material, towhich the earth will but slightly adhereyfifth, to facilitatelubrication by crossing the interior of the chute with a network ofshallow channels for the water distribution. It therefore consists,first, in a mud-trough, wherein the sediment and mud may settle whichmay dissolve from the bottom of the ascending mass of earth whileexposed to the action of the water to be removed from time to time, asmay be necessary, by the use of a long-handled shovel. There may be anauxiliary water-tank or an independent pipe from the tank on top of thechute, connecting with the mudbox, to insure a regular supply, so thatthe water may always be kept at a regular height. Second, in awater-roller to take up water from the mud-box and deliver it to theearthjaw beginning to slide up the chute, and thereby commence itslubrication. Third, in a surface-coating of plaster-of-paris, or othersubstance, to which the earth will have slight adherence as it movesover it. Fourth, in a reticulated network of shallow channels in thesurface below the plaster to effect a uniform distribution of waterbeneath the plaster, through the pores of which it will penetrate tocontinuously lubricate the ascending earth.

That others may fully understand my improvement, I will particularlydescribe it, having reference to the accompanying drawings, whcreinFigure 1 is a perspective view of my machine. Fig.2 is a longitudinalsection, and Fig. 3 a plan of the same.

A A are the timbers of the main frame,

which, when in use, rest and slide upon the ground; or, if it is notdesirable to cut so deep, rollers or runners of any kind may be placedbeneath the frame A to determine the depth of cut. The runners B B,forwhich the rollers may be substituted under the rear end of the frameA, slide upon the bottom of the trench, and regulate the height of therear end of said frame to correspond with the depth 'of cut at the frontend. At the front end of the frame, and securely bolted thereto, are twocutters, O O, which project downward and penetrate the ground to thedepth of the out. These cutters separate the soil at either side, andforms the sides of the ditch. Small pipes d 61 lead from a Water-tank,D, on the frame A, and discharge water into the cut immediately in rearof each cutter G G. This water has the effect of lubricating the edgesof the slice separated by the cutters, and immediately thereafterseparated at the bottom and raised by the share-cutter E, which projectsforward and cuts the slice clear along the bottom. The cutter E ishorizontal, or very nearly so, for a short distance back from the frontedge, and then curved upward slightly, and is continued upward andbackward by the chute F to a point above the frame A, where it is pushedoff sidewise by the oblique guide Gr.

When it is desirable to level.the earth some distance from the edge ofthe ditch, a suitable extension of the chute may be made. Lubrication ofthe dirt. or earth slice by means of water has been found to greatlyfacilitate the operation of raising said slice along the chute. By themeans heretofore in use the water-trough was liable to become filled andchoked with dirt after a little while, so as to prevent the passage ofwater, when, of course, the lubrication would cease.

To obviate this difficulty, I provide the mudtrough J, in the bottom ofwhich all the particles will settle which may become detached from thebottom of the moving mass of earth in its passage over the opening ofthe trough and over the roller K.

If the machine is to work in very sticky soil, where woodenor steelchutes would clog, I provide a layer on the chute of some per viousmaterial or substance, through which water will penetrate, and to whichearth will but slightly adhere.

A substance possessing these qualities is plaster-of-paris. Generally,the water which the dirt absorbs in passing over the roller will besnfficient to make it glide all the way up, but for greater safety 1place at the upper end of the chute, or in some other suitable locality,a water-tank, H, and by suitable tubes h leading therefrom water isconducted from said tank to a series of small channels, 9 g, cut zigzagor crosswise of the surface of chute F. The surface of the said chute iscovered with a layer, I, of plaster-of-paris mixed to the consistency ofmortar, so that while the channels 1 y will aid in attaching said layerto the chute, they will not be filled and obstructed by said mortar, andthe water which enters from the tubes h will find its way down saidchannels, keeping the layer I of plaster-oiparis constantly wet andlubricated.

The surplus water, if there is any, finds its way into the mud-box J. Inthe top of the 'niud-box I place a roller, K, the upper side of whichprojects slightly above the surface of the chute, and said roller servesto take up water from the mud-box, and moisten the under side of theearth-slice, and also to facilitate the passage of said slice.

The mud-box J is open at its rear end, and the sediment and mud thereinmay be removed by a long-handled shovel or hoe while the machine is inmotion.

In places where the soil is tough and impervious to water, and water forlubrication easy to be obtained, a mud box may be formed by merelydragging or otherwise attaching a piece of wood cut to the shape of theditch, behind the machine in the bottom of the ditch. The sides andbottom of the ditch will then form the sides and bottom of the box, andthe ascending earth will absorb the water which is to be poured in frombehind. Loose earth thrown inside that box against that tail-board willfill up the cracks between the wood and sides of ditch, and make the boxwater-tight. When the ditch is to be unusually deep it may be desirableto use an endless band or belt to elevate the earth, and such belt maybe lubricated by a roller in the same manner. The roller K may becovered by cloth or any other absorbent material that may be convenient,to enable it to carry up a larger quantity of water than would otherwisebe the case.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new is- 1. The cuttersand chute of a ditching-machine, combined with a mud-box, J, near theforward or lower end of said chute, to catch and retain the mud andsediment.

2. The mud-box J constructed with its rear end open and accessible, forthe removal of the mud and sediment therefrom while the machine is inmotion.

3. The chute of a ditching-machine and the mud-box J attached thereto,in combination with the roller K, to take up water from said box, anddeliver it to the moving earth upon the chute to lubricate the same.

4. A ditching-machine chute, provided with a surfacing layer of somesubstance, to which earth will but slightly adhere, such asplaster-of-paris, substantially as set forth.

5. A ditching-machine chute, provided with numerous water-channels, g,combined with a surface-layer, I, of plaster-of-paris, and a water-tank,H, as set forth.

F. L. DELFER.

Signed in the presence of- I. A. CHAMBERS, JosEPH FERREL.

